Romance has entered a new era, and money sits right in the middle of the conversation. A growing number of young adults are stepping away from traditional dating patterns, and financial dishonesty has become one of the fastest ways to damage a potential relationship.
The term “dating recession” isn’t just social media slang. The 2026 State of Our Unions report found that only about 30% of unmarried adults ages 22 to 35 are actively dating, even though 86% still expect to marry someday. Researchers also found that financial concerns are among the biggest barriers preventing young adults from pursuing relationships. Dating apps, rising costs, and changing priorities all play a role, but one issue keeps showing up again and again: trust around money.
